At 11 a.m. on Nov. 6 the first online casino in Saskatchewan was established despite the Saskatchewan Government's warnings it was illegal. The Northern Bear online casino launched offering people a chance to gamble online.
The Saskatoon Star Phoenix released a story on Nov. 5th stating Bernie Shepherd, a former White Bear First Nation Chief, was planning on opening the first ever of these sites run from within Saskatchewan.
In response Saskatchewan Liquor and Gamin Authority (SLGA) Minister Donna Harpauer had said they needed to wait for the site to launch before determining their action.
"We'll have to get advisement, I'm sure, because there are legal issues," she told reporters in Regina on Monday, Nov. 5.
In 1993 Shepherd made headlines as the Chief of White Bear First Nations when a casino was opened on site. At first the group was charged with operating a common gambling house; but, charges were dropped. The Bear Claw Casino would re-open in 1996 and help initiate the beginning of the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA).
Shepherd has moved to create an online casino without the support of SIGA or the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN). Currently SIGA and FSIN are unable to take part in online casino ventures due to their agreement with the provincial government.
Shepherd has established himself as the CEO and administrator of the online casino that is partnered with GeoBet.
GeoBet is a company, which was created by Gerry Gionet. Gionet is originally from Saskatchewan and is a Canadian citizen having met Shepherd earlier in life through the oil industry; but, Gionet's business GeoBet is based in the British Virgin Islands, thus, it is to adhere to the laws of the United Kingdom where online gambling is legal. Therefore, GeoBet and Shepherd decided to go through with the launch of their site.
"Online gaming is very common across the world," Gionet stated, while attending the formal announcement of the site at the Community Hall within White Bear First Nation on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 12:30 p.m.
In regards to what part of the business then has Saskatchewan ties Shepherd stated, "Me. And my office is here." Shepherd has decided to move back to White Bear and will run his business from here. "The Saskatchewan part is me... Online is all over the world now..."
Much like his strides towards "land casinos" he hopes this venture will succeed as well. The intention of going through with the launch of his gaming website is to bolster profits and create job opportunities on White Bear.
"It is not illegal to own an online casino," Shepherd stated during the press conference. "In my opinion it's legal. I'm willing to challenge that."
Gionet explained that with other online casino's available to Canadians around the world that it makes sense to keep the profits in Canada.
Following the press conference Shepherd hosted a luncheon for those on White Bear who were interested in what Shepherd is doing. Approximately 30 people were present to support the former Chief.
Shepherd and Gionet both addressed the crowd explaining what it is they have entered into together, with Shepherd explaining that if the site is successful the profits will be given back to the community.
Key on his list was using the profits to support the youth as well as the elders at White Bear. Shepherd is hoping his new business venture will take off in order to provide jobs and help support those on White Bear First Nation.
"It brings business to the community. Investments, employment, and opportunities; opportunities at home... It will contribute to the economy of the community including White Bear, Carlyle, and the surrounding area," explained Walter Janvier, Vice-President of North American Business Investment and Relations with Golden Arrow Worldwide LTD. Janvier is associated with marketing GeoBet and the Northern Bear Casino.
Regarding revenue sharing with the government if proposed Shepherd said, "We will cross that bridge when we get to it."
On Monday, Nov. 5, Harpauer had also stated that the Saskatchewan Government wouldn't allow "e-gaming" within the province as the negative aspects regarding an online casino "such as addiction outweigh any benefits..." reported The First Perspective.
In response to the launch of the site the province has asked RCMP to investigate. According to the Criminal Code gambling is regulated by the authorization of the province; but, in the case of this particular website acting Justice Minister Don Morgan told Global Saskatoon, "We know that this particular operation has not been sanctioned by or conducted by the province."
Continuing to expand on this he also stated, while speaking with Global, "Gambling within the province is something that is controlled and regulated, and controlled and regulated carefully. It's problematic for the province to see an operation that's not within that framework, so we'll want to look very carefully through the Ministry of Justice and through (the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority) for the options that are available."
The entire situation is reminiscent of Shepherd's experience from 1993.
"They said we weren't within our rights to open land-based casinos 20 years ago. Today we have six land-based casinos as a result of us saying 'no, we're exercising our rights.' We believe that what we're doing is legal," Shepherd stated.
At the moment neither the government nor the RCMP has contacted Shepherd. He has currently been focused on moving back to White Bear and has commented that he has not been following how busy the website is, though will do so once he is settled at White Bear.
